The countries of the European Union (EU) are required by 300,000 soldiers and additional annual defense costs of 250 billion euros to protect themselves from Russia without US support in case of war.
Brussel company Bruegel and the German Kili Institute of the World Economy published the report “Protection of Europe without the United States. Original calculation of the necessary”.
The analysis states that to protect Europe from Russia without US support, European countries need 300 thousand soldiers and annual defense costs of 250 billion euros.
The report notes that 300 thousand soldiers are about 50 brigades. It is emphasized that to equip this army also needs to have 1400 new combat tanks and 2 thousand infantry vehicles.
It is recommended that the 28 EU member countries agree to the general procurement and improve the coordination of their armies.
The analysis notes that the European armies are divided between 28 national armed forces and that one of the biggest problems is military coordination within Europe.
The costs of defense in the entire EU should be increased from 2 to 4 percent, and in this case, Germany should increase its defense budget from 80 billion euros to about 140 billion euros.
“If each country wants to defend itself alone, this will lead to an increase in expenses, – says senior researcher at the Hunters Wolf. Self -defense is more expensive than collective security. Therefore, closer coordination and joint purchases are needed”.